18 A Song of Entreaty

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord,

and in your faithfulness give ear to my supplications; ♦

answer me in your righteousness.

2 Enter not into judgement with your servant, ♦

for in your sight shall no one living be justified.

3 My spirit faints within me; ♦

my heart within me is desolate.

4 I stretch out my hands to you; ♦

my soul gasps for you like a thirsty land.

5 O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me; ♦

hide not your face from me

lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.

6 Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,

for in you I put my trust; ♦

show me the way I should walk in,

for I lift up my soul to you.

7 Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; ♦

let your kindly spirit lead me on a level path.

8 Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake; ♦

for your righteousness’ sake, bring me out of trouble.

Psalm 143.1,2,4,6-8,10,11

All Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

¶ Old Testament and Apocrypha Canticles ↑

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